The festival opens with four of the most distinctive voices in Danish jazz right now. American multi-instrumentalist Ned Ferm, who's left his mark on the Danish rhythmic music scene since 2001 (Bent Jædig Award 2021), meets pianist Søren Kjærgaard, whose trio with Andrew Cyrille and Ben Street has carved out one of the most original takes on the modern piano-trio format. With Mikkel Hess on drums (Hess Is More) and bassist Anders "AC" Christensen — equally in demand at home and abroad with Paul Motian, Jakob Bro and Joe Lovano — this is an opening act of the highest order. Expect open, melodic and playful music carried by deep-listening musicians.